Price check 03A3?

D

D-BOMB

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Hey all,

so after posting a wanted ad in the EE for a n M1903A3 and I have a lead on one in very good shape. The seller wants 1000 for it, however the
A3's don't really come up that often so
I don't really have any comparables.

Apparently the bore is minty, metal is very nice, wood is nice however lightly sanded (cartouches still visible)

Is this price realistic?

Thanks for any input!
 
Really? sanding reduces it that much? even if the cartouches are still visible?

Its the one listed in the used section on accuracy plus' used section if anyone wants pictures.
 
Any sanding will remove part of the inspectors cartouche, no argument just harsh fact.
As a collector I grimace when I hear about guys who "sanded" their military stock.
So, what is the difference in dollars between sanded and un-sanded... this all depends on how much sanding was done. If the stamp in the stock is barely legible, a $300 reduction. If the stamp is clear, legible and completely level with the surface of the wood though not razor sharp drop $200. If the stamp is still clearly impressed into the wood with sharp edges then no reduction. Conversely, when pricing the above numbers can be added to a base price for a firearm.
VERY IMPORTANT...the color of the finish on the metal. If it is deep greenish dull finish (aka parkerized) this is the original finish as they left the factory. There are occasions when the finish may have a grey appearance, with a hint of green...once again parkerized. If the finish is dull black, it has been re-furbished...generally at an arsenal, there will be stamps in the stock to indicate this, which will appear sharper then inspectors marks. If the finish polished deep or even mottled blue, then bubba got his hands on it.
For $1,000 the gun should be perfect in every manner. Razor sharp edges to the wood, the inspector marks sharp clear, perfect, the metal should have full parkerizing and there should be absolutely no bright wear marks on the bolt as if it has been worked a lot, the bolt face should be perfectly clean with no evidence of brass on face....in other words for $1,000 the gun should be UNFIRED NEW!!!!!!
 
I paid $850 for one about a year ago, rifle was in excellent shape, that was until I took it to the range. It keyholed at 25 yds. I was lucky enough to pick up a new, unused Springfield barrel dated 1933 for a good price and had it installed by Alberta Tactical Rifle. Buyer beware.
 
Pay close attention to bore condition when buying a M1903. A lot of bores are excessively worn or pitted due to the corrosive priming mix used in wartime ammo. I've owned 16 of the various M1903 models over the years and found it necessary to replace pooched barrels on 8 of them. Other than that the rifles were fine, except for a need to swap out some minor parts or do a re-parkerizing job. There were some real beaters imported around 20-25 yrs ago from Asian sources. Many of these showed badly pitted receivers and other parts as well as toasted barrels.

New M1903 barrels are tough to find and prices run in the $350-$400 range when you can find them. 03A3 barrels cost around $200-$250 and are more available. You need to figure installation costs on top of this unless you are set up to re-barrel yourself. I recently looked at a Remington M1903 in very nice overall shape, but for the barrel. Asking price was $750, but I passed on it because I didn't want to get into another Easter Egg hunt for a $400 replacement barrel on top of an initial outlay for the rifle. I can re-barrel them myself, so that part isn't a problem.

Original 03A3s had parkerized barrels and receivers, but all other metal was blued. If other parts aren't blued they have been re-parkerized or are replacement spares. There's nothing at all wrong with re-parked metal parts. It just indicates that they aren't original to the rifle.
 
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My take:

It depends on the sanding. There is sanding and then there is sanding. Sanding that is OK is the very light sanding the US arsenal did when they overhauled the rifle. Often original cartouches are faint, but the new Proof-P should be fresh and crisp. This does not, IMHO, affect value much.

Then there is bubba sanding the stock in his basement to pretty it up - this kills value dead dead dead.

Which type do you have?

An 03A3 in nice shape with an arsenal sanded stock is probably a $800-1100 gun depending on a few factors like maker, features, condition, etc.
 
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